Monday, November 29, 2010

RIP Mary Margaret Lee

My Aunt Mary Margaret died earlier today after a long struggle with pneumonia. She was 65, which was remarkable in itself, given that she was born with Down's syndrome. My grandparents refused to institutionalize her, instead giving her as full a life as they could, including allowing her to work at a facility for mentally handicapped people. After my grandparents died, Mary lived with my Uncle Tom and Aunt Eileen in New Hampshire, but finally had to be put in a home after Alzheimer's took hold.

Just checked in for the first time this week, and saw this (and looks like that for the funeral today, you must have came within relative range of my locale, incidentally). Of course, in addition to those of all the previous commenters, I extend my condolences.

Your encapsulation of your aunt's story conveys an affirming, admirable sense of honor, compassion, and dignity. And now, I have a little more of an idea of the roots of your "strength of the individual" values. :)